Seminar seeks solutions to improve human resource quality in FDI enterprises

A seminar was held in Hanoi, on June 19, to look into a multi-dimensional perspective on the current situation of labour in foreign-invested enterprises, as well as discussing measures to improve the quality of human resources in line with the directions for attracting foreign direct investment (FDI) in Vietnam.

Measures are needed to improve labour quality to make the most use of the world's FDI flows pouring into Asia, including Vietnam.
Measures are needed to improve labour quality to make the most use of the world's FDI flows pouring into Asia, including Vietnam.

The event was co-hosted by the Ministry of Planning and Investment (MPI) and Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs.

MPI Deputy Minister, Vu Dai Thang, said that amidst the strongly developing Industry 4.0 and fierce competition in attracting FDI, Vietnam has set the target of shifting FDI attraction from quantity to quality, gradually moving towards high quality resources instead of attracting FDI in sectors with cheap labour costs.

Therefore, it is necessary to review the current situation of labour in FDI enterprises in order to propose solutions to make a breakthrough to improve labour quality and efficiency, making the most of the world's FDI flows which are tending to pour into Asia, including Vietnam, Deputy Minister Thang suggested.

Dr. Le Van Hung, from the Vietnam Institute of Economics, said that FDI plays an important role in the productivity growth of the FDI recipient countries. In terms of direct impacts, FDI helps to shift the structure of domestic labour from the low-productivity sectors to the more productive sectors.

However, Deputy Minister Thang pointed out that the FDI sector also showed several shortcomings, such as FDI flows being mainly focused on assembling, processing, and sectors with a low localisation rate, while not establishing close links with Vietnamese enterprises to join the value chain. The transfer of technology and management experience has not been as expected; even some enterprises have committed tax evasion or violated regulations on environmental protection.

To improve the efficiency of labour productivity in the FDI sector, Dr. Hung recommended paying more attention to the quality of attracted FDI instead of quantity. FDI attraction should be closely linked with the national development strategy, with priority given to attracting investment in sectors and areas with comparative advantages, or in high technology and new energy projects.

Deputy Head of Dong Nai provincial Department of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs, Pham Van Cong, said that it is necessary to shift the direction in order to attract FDI to the supporting industry projects.